Heartland Weekly: How Republicans Can Cut Through the Obamacare Chaos

Keely Drukala is the Deputy Director of Communications at The Heartland Institute. Prior to joining Heartland in 2007, Keely worked as office manager for the Cook County Republican Party. She co-chaired the 2006 Cook County Republican Convention, the first county convention in more than 20 years. In 2007, Keely ran for Illinois State Representative, and although unsuccessful, she was endorsed by the Chicago Tribune over the incumbent.

Keely received a dual bachelor’s of arts degree in international politics and international communications from the American University of Paris.

Keely is a Northern California native but has lived in Chicago since 2005.

If you don’t visit Somewhat Reasonable and the Heartlander digital magazine every day, you’re missing out on some of the best news and commentary on liberty and free markets you can find. But worry not, freedom lovers! The Heartland Weekly Email is here for you everyFridaywith a highlight show.

Heartland Event: Charles C.W. Cooke – ‘The Conservatarian Manifesto’ Nancy Thorner, for Somewhat Reasonable
Charles C.W. Cooke’s new book The Conservatarian Manifesto is a call to arms for the growing movement of “conservatarians”— members of the right who are fiscally conservative but socially liberal — and a fascinating look at conservatism’s past and future. If you missed this great Heartland event at the Union League Club, read about it (and watch the video) at the blog. READ MORE

How Republicans Can Cut Through the Obamacare Chaos After Kingv. Burwell Peter Ferrara, American Thinker
“Republicans and conservatives who can’t or won’t vigorously and articulately argue the case for reforming Obamacare should be replaced with new leadership. We must also present and argue for the full Patient Power, free-market health care vision that will replace Obamacare once the currently serving Great Mistake in the White House is replaced with new leadership next year as well.” READ MORE

Featured podcast: Nate Benefield – Limiting State SpendingJesse Hathaway, managing editor of Budget & Tax News, is joined by Commonwealth Foundation Vice President of Policy Analysis Nate Benefield. Hathaway and Benefield discuss a new bill being proposed in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Taxpayer Protection Act, which would restrict the growth of the state’s spending by keeping spending increases in line with population increases and the rate of inflation. LISTEN TO MORE

Heartland Is Hiring!Do you believe in smaller government and more individual liberty? Do you believe free markets solve social and economic problems better than government planning? The Heartland Institute might have just the job for you! We’re looking for eager self-starters to manage several important projects that will have a real impact on policy in this country. READ MORE

Heartland’s James M. Taylor Wins Debate Against Floridians for Solar Choice Jim Lakely, Somewhat Reasonable
“There was no vote or show of hands at the end of the presentations. No accounting of which presenter swayed more of the congregation. My subjective reaction was that the applause for Taylor was enthusiastic, for Perfetti polite. At the end, Perfetti did not ask for an endorsement of his amendment. And no one offered, though several people told me afterward that they liked the idea. More said they didn’t.” READ MORE

Heartland Experts React to New Net Neutrality Regulations
“The FCC did not impose strict net neutrality rules to solve a problem for consumers, who wield power in the market to correct any ‘harm’ to their digital wants and needs. FCC imposed net neutrality to gain control over the digital economy – and force the big players in the industry to put the whims of government bureaucrats ahead of the needs of their customers.” READ MORE

Happy Tax Day! Heartland’s Experts ‘Celebrate’
“Surely the Framers who envisioned a limited national government with strictly enumerated powers that could levy taxes solely on a per capita basis would recognize neither the income tax system of today nor the out-of-control government that it has spawned.” READ MORE

EPA Tells Kids to Avoid Baths and Asks them to Check Toilets for Leaks Justin Haskins, Breitbart
“When kids aren’t busy timing their showers to ensure they remain as unclean as possible and training to be future plumbers, they can ‘test’ their ‘water sense’ by playing EPA’s Pac-Man-inspired online game starring the ‘water-efficiency hero,’ Flo. The goal of the game is to move Flo, a cartoon water drop, ‘through water pipes and answer water-efficiency questions while avoiding water-wasting monsters.’ There’s nothing kids hate more than those darn water-wasting monsters.” READ MORE

Ohio Teachers Strongly Dislike Common Core Tests Joy Pullmann, School Choice Weekly
The results of a survey of thousands of Ohio public school teachers vindicate years of warnings from Common Core opponents that the tests will be a train wreck – both because they demand technology far beyond what most schools can support and because Common Core itself is nebulous and unlikely to produce clear test questions. READ MORE

Invest in the Future of Freedom!Are you considering 2015 gifts to your favorite charities? We hope The Heartland Institute is on your list. Preserving and expanding individual freedom is the surest way to advance many good and noble objectives, from feeding and clothing the poor to encouraging excellence and great achievement. Making charitable gifts to nonprofit organizations dedicated to individual freedom is the most highly leveraged investment a philanthropist can make.